Saturday, December 17, 2011

Youngest and Oldest to Play for KC

Since the season ended (and actually probably before that) I'd been working on a project to find the youngest and oldest players to appear for Sporting KC throughout their history. I finished that project up earlier this past week. And to start off my updating of all the stats that I do, I figured I'd start with a new one. Here are not only the 10 youngest and oldest players to appear in a game, but the 10 youngest and oldest to start a game as well. I'm including their age in days and years, the date of the game and the opponent.

Soony Saad and Daneil Cyrus join the list in their first year with the team. The two knocked off Michael Harrington and Will John who had been on the list before this season. All but one of these appearances were made as a substitute as well, save Jose Burciaga's appearance, which was a start. Jon Kempin can still join this list, being 18 years old currently he still has plenty of time to join the list.

You'll notice that this list is the same as above. Kevin Ellis did just miss out on joining this list as his appearance against the Chicago Fire PDL in the Open Cup this year was when he 20 years 363 days old. Once again, Kempin is the only player currently on the roster that can join this list.

Basically it's 9 of the 10 players from above with the order mixed up a little bit. Nick Garcia replaces Saad on the list, as he's yet to start a game for KC. Still with Saad still being 19, he still has a good season and a half to still potentially join this list, knocking Byaruhanga off, as does Kempin. Cyrus knocked off Harrington again off the list.

Only one change for the competitive appearance list, Teal Bunbury and Jake Dancy switch places due to Bunbury's start in a US Open Cup qualifier against Colorado. All the rest of the games are league matches.

Looking at this list, you have Preki all by himself, then you have a 4 year drop, then Mo Johnston, then another 3 year drop before getting to Peter Vermes. With Nielsen still having 2 years, plus an option year now on his contract, Nielsen will continue to move up this list after joining this season. Earlier this season Nielsen replaced Paul Rideout on this list.

No changes to the order on this list when you factor in things like playoffs, Open Cup, and Copa Mercanorte matches, but some changes in the ages. One appearance by Nielsen next season will see him jump Zavagnin on both lists.